Dreikorn running for state Senate seat

Will face incumbent Benacquisto, LePine in August GOP primary

May 13, 2014

Michael Dreikorn, a Pine Island resident and one-time candidate for Congressman Trey Radel's seat, announced Tuesday he plans to run for District 30 Florida Senate seat currently held by Lizbeth Benacquisto.

District 30 includes portions of Lee and Charlotte counties, including Pine Island and Cape Coral.

After dropping out of the U.S. House race, Dreikorn spent the next 10 days making the decision to run for the Senate seat.

"We have big issues in leadership in Tallahassee," Dreikorn said. "I could either go to Tallahassee as a lieutenant in the House or as a general in the Senate.

"My reasons for running for state Senate are the same as when I ran for the congressional seat vacated by Radel," Dreikorn said. "I am very concerned about the absence of honor, honesty and integrity in government. I am also very concerned about the direction our country and our state have taken and I have little to no confidence in either political party."

The Pine Island Republican came in fourth with 12 percent of the vote in the congressional primary last month.

"The Senate offers a much more meaningful platform," Dreikorn said. "This isn't about Benacquisto, it's about leadership. I won't spend any time worrying about the other candidates."